In 1930, a stylish villa arose on Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen. It was named Villa Backen, later becoming the iconic Villa Solbacken we stand before today. Originally built for director Gunnar Rooth, this striking functionalist-style villa, with its sleek lines and plastered facades, replaced a more modest coachman’s house. Imagine the coachman, keeping a watchful eye on Djurgårdsbrunnsbron from his former dwelling on this very spot. The architect, Ragnar Hjorth, designed Villa Solbacken with a distinctive semi-circular alcove facing the Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen, crowned by a balcony. Large reception rooms and a grand main entrance hinted at a life of elegance and social gatherings. In 1939, Baroness Hermine von Essen and her husband took ownership. However, Villa Solbacken’s most famous residents arrived in 1949: Prince Bertil and Princess Lilian. They transformed the villa into their private sanctuary. Prince Bertil, upon his death in 1997, bequeathed Villa Solbacken to his nephew and godson, Prince Carl Philip. However, Princess Lilian retained the right to reside here until her passing in 2013. As a tribute to Prince Bertil, the road north of the canal was renamed Prins Bertils väg. In 2015, Villa Solbacken underwent a significant renovation. The interior layout was reimagined, and new balconies were added. Finally, in the summer of 2017, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia made Villa Solbacken their home, continuing a legacy of royal residents at this elegant Djurgården address.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to